News Every Day | 28 January 2022, 21:47

2022 MLS Team Preview: Columbus Crew

With just under a month away from the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign, the Columbus Crew are making ways to give themselves another chance at glory. Head Coach Caleb Porter, who is in his fourth season at the helm of the Black & Gold, has the confidence that the team will make a deep playoff run this upcoming season.

Here, we take a look at recent moves, a probable lineup to open the season with and where Columbus could finish in the Eastern Conference standings.

Recent additions

Columbus has made subtle moves in the winter transfer window, adding more midfield depth, a forward and four defenders.

After the exit of Vito Wormgoor and Aboubacar Keita, Columbus had two listed centerbacks on the roster in Ohio native Josh Williams, and captain Jonathan Mensah. But something still remains missing on the backline for Columbus.

A full back; More specifically a left back.

The club has been in talks with Milton Valenzuela who sat out the 2019 season with an ACL tear. The injury battle continued throughout 2020 and most of 2021, but the Argentine free agent hasn’t put pen to paper yet.

“It’s in Milton’s camp right now” according to President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko.

There have also been talks of him joining a team back home in Argentina, most notably Indipendiente. However, a figure outside of what the Argentinian club was willing to pay seemed to have had broken down.

Columbus also signed Ghanaian forward Yaw Yeboah, who will provide depth at the forefront with Kevin Molino.

An established midfield

In addition to having an already established midfield, it’s safe to say the Black & Gold stocked up on depth. The Crew have added the likes of James Igbekeme on loan from Real Zaragoza, with an option to buy.

Igbemeke will join the ranks of star player Lucas Zelarayan to provide depth when needed. Still, the Crew have more

Tactical lineup preview

Taking into consideration of all the signings and draft picks Columbus acquired recently, the question now is ‘What will the starting lineup look like?’

Caleb Porter has stuck with the regular 4-2-3-1 formation, but now that there is no full-time left back on the roster, that formation may look different.

Look no further than Pedro Santos who had some spells at the defending position last year.

If played correctly, Santos can be the pacey fullback Columbus needs when attacking, and make overlapping runs to get to the edge of the box.

The passing from the left-footed Portuguese man is also something to take note of, as the ability to hit long balls down the wing side of the pitch to the onrushing winger can be lethal on a counter-attack.

But will Columbus play a 4-2-3-1? How about a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2?

Porter has expressed interest in the possibility of starting Berry and Zardes as starters, so here is what ideally the listed formations would look like.

Columbus Crew 4-4-2 Formation

Room

Moreira–Mensah (c)–Williams–Santos

Etienne–Nagbe–Zelarayan–Diaz

Berry–Zardes

In the 4-4-2 formation, expect Nagbe and Zelarayan to get inside the penalty box for crosses coming from the wings, or to just hang out at the top of the penalty box. You can also see Etienne and Diaz play a more shallow defensive position when defending.

Columbus Crew 3-5-2 Formation

Mensah (c)–Williams–Degenek

Diaz–Hairston–Zelarayn–Nagbe–Santos

Berry–Zardes

In the 3-5-2, Zelarayan can be seen to be a possible ‘False 9’ forward position which will look more like a 3-4-3. Marlon Hairston and Darlington Nagbe could stalk just ouside the 18-yard box for loose balls or clearances, but fall back into a defensive midfielder position when the opposition attacks.

Predicted Finish

Everything falls on the hands of Porter and his staff to execute plans successfully. It also comes to say, staying healthy is a major factor that has hindered Columbus in recent years.

Provided everything goes well and players perform at their very best while still getting results, the Crew could finish third, if not fourth in the Eastern Conference.